From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Logistical challenges and alternative plans for completing a Corniche Bentley chassis following the outbreak of war.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 98\5\ scan0130 | |
| Date | 5th April 1940 guessed | |
| 400g To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re Corniche Bentley Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}4/E6440 With regard to sending the chassis to France to be finished off as a complete car, C writes as follows: 'It seems to me, however, that it would not be wise to send it to France to be done, because I understand that Van Vooren closed down soon after the outbreak of war and the bits of bodies that they made are stored in an office somewhere. I think we could actually ship the chassis with a special Permit but we should probably have difficulty in getting the car back again. It, therefore, seems to me the best thing would be to use the shell which Van Vooren sent to Park Ward and which is now stored in a packing case (never having been opened) at Lillie Hall; and Park Wards could finish this off. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} would probably be able to give some supervision to the completion of it fairly easily, since it will be in London. Will you please let me know if you agree to this and perhaps Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} might say if he has any preference in regard to either of the 4 Corniche chassis that we have.' I should be glad if you would have a word with me about this. The main point seems to be whether you and Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} feel (P.T. | ||